Amazon is apparently interested enough in me that they want to fly me to San Francisco to interview in person with members of the team I'd be working with. Great! The problem is, I'll have to take several unplanned days off from my current job. What is the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 28, 2016 -
26 answers

I was fired for what I (and several lawyer friends) believe to be a bogus reason. But what should I tell potential employers, given that I don't trust my former HR department? It's going to be long but the detail is necessary. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 4, 2015 -
22 answers

Just a quick question - only really relevant to Britain, I think. I've applied for a job (part-time social care work) and I'm being asked to bring £60 in cash to the interview to pay for a DBS (criminal records and background) check. This seems dodgy to me - is it normal to be asked for this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Mar 5, 2015 -
9 answers

I have a big interview late this week and I have to do a presentation and facilitate a discussion. Best tips and tricks? This is an educational nonprofit. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Feb 8, 2015 -
4 answers

I was approached by a recruiter a few weeks ago. At the time, I was somewhat unhappy at my job, but was not actively looking. I told the recruiter this. I have a follow-up interview with a manager tomorrow. Potential problem: I was laid off after the conversation with the recruiter. How do I spin this information? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 17, 2014 -
9 answers

I just had a job interview for a job I really want that went really well. So well that I forgot to mention something kind of important: I started a part-time retail job between applying and hearing back about the interview (it was almost a month and I've been unemployed since May, so needed something to pay the bills) that I'd have to give notice at, but I'd hopefully be able to get shifts covered. I haven't had any direct e-mail contact with the person who interviewed me, only with the administrative assistant. They would want me to start ASAP. I'll probably be going in for a second interview sometime next week. How and when do I mention this? More important, how and when do I mention this in a way that isn't going to ruin my chances of getting this job?
posted by anonymous
on Aug 31, 2014 -
15 answers

I missed a call for a potential job interview today, the call was left early in the afternoon and I didn't see it until early the early evening. Normally, I wouldn't be fretting over this, but in the voice mail the manager said she'd like to schedule an interview for Wed. afternoon and now it's Monday evening. Would I be safe with calling her back tomorrow morning and apologizing for missing the call, etc. or would it be best if I leave some sort of voicemail message tomorrow (I wouldn't know what to say though) AND still call back in the morning?
Sorry, I feel embarrassed asking this, but I'm freaking out about missing an opportunity! In the future I will be much more attentive!
posted by anonymous
on Aug 19, 2014 -
13 answers

I'll be interviewing for a new position next week. I'm worried that if they ask why I'm leaving my current job, and I tell them that my current position is going will no longer have funding within a 6 months, I will give up some potential salary if it comes to salary negotiation. Is that a valid worry and if so, should I not mention that and just go with other (also true) reasons such as "I'm no longer feeling challenged"?
posted by anonymous
on Apr 14, 2014 -
13 answers

I work for Company A, a very large outift with multiple branches in my city. I have worked for company A since I graduated from college, at first with my Dream Job division (but not doing my dream job), then with my OK Job division. I still work in OK Job division and my job is pretty OK. I applied for my dream job with Company A last year. The person I would report to informed me that since they did not get enough qualified applicants, they would not be filling the position. I took that to mean I was not qualified and thought it was done. Now they're offering me a "courtesy interview." What?! [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 9, 2014 -
17 answers

So I have a job interview coming up for a librarian position at a public library. However, all of my job experience has been in academic libraries, so I'm not sure what to expect from this interview. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 26, 2013 -
7 answers

I have an important job interview coming up this Tuesday, and I was hoping for some advice on how to handle the interview and, specifically, how to address my weaknesses productively while highlighting my strengths. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 2, 2013 -
3 answers

I have a job interview this Friday. It is in a city 90 minutes from where I currently live, and 30 minutes from where my wife currently lives. Looking at my resume, it's obvious I'm having a good career at my current place of work, steadily getting promotions and increased responsibility. If I was an interviewer, it would be in the back of my mind, "Why's this guy looking for a new job? Problems where he is now?" I know they can't ask about my personal life and reasons for relocating, but does anyone think it would be weird to tell them I'm applying for this job because I want to live in the same city as my wife?
Of course, I'd also tell them I'm applying for the job because of the skills and value I can bring to the organization, my prior experience gives a unique perspective from both sides of the desk, etc. etc. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 10, 2013 -
22 answers

I've just found out that I have two months to prepare for a translation exam as part of a job application. I am a native English speaker and an experienced translator of the source language (with some quite impressive experience at that), but I have no formal translation qualifications whatsoever. I have no idea what a translation exam might entail or whether I would be able to do it. Where do I start? How can I make the best use of the intervening time? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jul 11, 2013 -
4 answers

I have an upcoming job interview for a fairly sales-oriented position in business. Putting aside that I'm not sure I want the position yet and that in my eyes it counts against the company that they put stock in this sort of thing, the company is about to send me a personality test which they use as a strong hiring indicator. I would prefer to ace the test, whatever that means, and have my actual interview and position discussion determine hiring. How should I go about answering a test that I don't believe will be reflective of my personality? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 5, 2013 -
10 answers

I am presently going through interviews for an IT consulting position with a nationally known firm. I've been through two extended phone interviews. The initial call with the recruiter went great, but I just had a call with one of the main staff members and it was a train wreck. Extra library/MLIS snowflake details... [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 28, 2012 -
7 answers

I'm a lawyer at a large firm. I represent a lot of tech startups and as a general practice, lawyers at my firm don't sign NDAs to avoid potential problems and conflicts of interest. I'm interviewing for an in-house counsel position and they are insisting I sign an NDA. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Aug 7, 2012 -
15 answers

What are my responsibilities when interviewing for a new job while pregnant? Should I tell them I'm expecting? If so, what should I be prepared for?
I want to be ethical, but simultaneously am reluctant be at a disadvantage off the bat. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jul 2, 2012 -
13 answers

(UK-based) I've started applying for new jobs and as I'm now getting along in the process, I'm wondering about 1) signing a contract before leaving my current job and 2) taking notes during a job interview. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 13, 2012 -
5 answers

I'm having a hard time sussing out whether a recent job candidate's informality (and non-adherence to gender norms) should be a major warning sign, eye-rollingly insignificant, or somewhere in between. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Mar 23, 2011 -
84 answers

I am a 30 year old man about to go for a job interview... flipping burgers for a certain clown. I'd appreciate any hints or tips on how to approach the interview. And when I get the job, how do I handle that? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Aug 4, 2010 -
11 answers

I was not truthful about my past drug use in a job interview. Now I have a job offer and need to get a secret security clearance. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 30, 2009 -
23 answers

So I recently managed to score a job interview and offer with a company that offers very nice benefits and pay better than I've seen before.
The problem is this: I realized yesterday or so that my resume stated that I graduated with honors when in fact I did not. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2009 -
23 answers

My very first post-college job has little resemblance to the one for which I interviewed. In a couple of weeks, my trial period is up. I do not intend to take the option for employment. How do I spin this in future interviews? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jan 28, 2007 -
27 answers

I've got a marathon job interview coming up, and I'm looking for advice on: a professional purse or briefcase I can use; how to stay energized, alert and upbeat for two consecutive days; cultural things I should be aware of in northeast Florida. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jul 20, 2005 -
15 answers

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